AFRICON '96 Set for September

IEEE AFRICON '96 is scheduled for September 24-27 in Stellenbosch, South Africa, hosted by the University of Stellenbosch. The conference is cosponsored by IEEE Region 8, the IEEE South African Section, the Foundation for Research Development, and the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers and is held in cooperation with the IEEE Power Electronics Society.

The three major themes for AFRICON '96 address services which are essential for establishing infrastructure in developing countries with a view towards improving the quality of life and generating prosperity for the African continent: 1) Electrical Energy Technology, 2) Telecommunications, and 3) Development of Human Resources.

Around these themes, well over 300 digests were received and reviewed by an international review committee chaired by Professor Braham Ferreira of Rand Afrikaans University. The program committee met in late April and finalized a high quality technical program consisting of approximately 250 papers, posters and tutorials. The conference program is widely international, as papers were submitted from over 40 countries from around the world, including Africa, Europe, North America and the Far East.

In addition to tutorials, paper and poster sessions, an exhibition is slated to take place in conjunction with AFRICON '96. This exhibition gives African as well as international companies the opportunity to display the latest technology related to the conference topics.

Stellenbosch is very easy to reach as it is located only 40 km from Cape Town's International Airport. The organizing committee will staff a desk in the airport's arrival hall to welcome delegates and assist them with ground transportation. Stellenbosch is South Africa's second oldest town and provides a beautiful setting for AFRICON '96 with its small university town atmosphere among splendid Cape Dutch Architecture, wine farms and oak lined boulevards. The university conference facilities are located adjacent to the downtown area and are only a short distance away from the hotels, guest houses and university residences which provide accommodation. Stellenbosch is nestled at the foot of a mountain range and is only 20 km inland from the ocean, thus providing for a wide range of pre- and post-conference activities for delegates and accompanying persons.

The preregistration deadline is set for July 15, and it is recommended to initiate travel plans as soon as possible to secure the most advantageous flight schedule and accommodation. The conference secretariat is assisting participants with room reservations and interested persons can contact the secretariat at the numbers listed below.

Further information about AFRICON 96 can be obtained from the Conference Chair, Professor Johan H.R. Enslin, at TEL: +27-21-808-4455, FAX: +27-21-808-3554, or e-mail africon@firga.sun.ac.za. Details can also be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sun.ac.za/local/academic/fak_ing/ee_ing/africon.html.

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